The National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced that, starting June 12, 2025, nationals of Indonesia may enter China under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy. This brings the total number of eligible countries to 55.
Citizens of 55 countries, including Indonesia, Russia, and the United Kingdom, may transit through China using 240-hour vise-free transit policy if they hold valid international travel documents and interline tickets with confirmed dates and seats to a third country or region. They may enter China through any of the 60 open ports across 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government),such as Beijing and Shanghai, and stay in designated areas for up to 10 days. During this period, visa-free transit travelers may engage in tourism, business, exchange visits, or family visits. Activities such as work, study, or news reporting still require prior approval and appropriate visas.
According to the NIA, adding Indonesia to the list of countries eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy is a significant measure to implement the principles established in the central conference on work related to neighboring countries and China's commitment to deepening regional cooperation with ASEAN countries. This measure will further strengthen bilateral ties, facilitate trade and investment, and promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and Indonesia. Moving forward, the NIA will continue to deepen the institutional openness of immigration management, continually improve the policies facilitating entry and exit for immigrants, and enhance the convenience for foreign nationals to study, work, and live in China. With improved management and service measures, the NIA invites more international friends to come to China.
China Grants Unilateral Visa-Free Access to 47 Countries
Starting from June 9, 2025, China has implemented a trial visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain, adding new members to its expanding circle of visa-free partners. From June 9, 2025, to June 8, 2026, citizens of these countries can enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for purposes such as business, tourism, visiting family or friends, and cultural exchanges, including transit.
Together with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, which have enjoyed full mutual visa exemption with China since 2018, this policy means China now offers visa-free entry to all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Nationals of 47 countries including Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Holland, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru,Uruguay,Saudi Arabia,Oman,Kuwait and Bahrain holding valid ordinary passports can be exempted from visa requirement if entering into China for the purpose of business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange and transit. They can stay in China for no more than 30 days without visa.
